Boyle’s back, McLaren’s gone, Demers activated and lines could lines be in flux tonight against Oilers

UPDATE: The Sharks have activated defenseman Jason Demers, who takes the roster spot vacated by Frazer McLaren. Demers also goes on the payroll at this point; because his injury occurred in Europe, his insurance company — not the Sharks — had responsibility. END UPDATE

Dan Boyle was back at the rink today and expects to be on the ice tonight against Edmonton after missing Tuesday night’s game and Wednesday’s practice with a cold. Or maybe it was the flu.

“Whatever it was, it kicked my ass,” he said after the morning skate.

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So which one of his kids did he blame?

“My kids weren’t sick,” he said. “But we did have some company in town, my wife’s two friends and I’m blaming them.”

Boyle also gave a pretty graphic description of the gusher of a nose bleed that kept him out of the third period Sunday against Vancouver. He seemed to indicate the medical crew was examining him after he took a hit in the second period, poked around a little and the waterworks began flowing and wouldn’t stop. We’ll stop there, however.

The Sharks managed to beat Anaheim without Boyle, but the offense struggled and the transition game was a problem.

Besides Boyle’s return – which Todd McLellan hedged on, though Boyle seemed more certain – there could be another change on defense as Jason Demers could be activated by game time.

There’s a roster spot for Demers only because the Sharks put Frazer McLaren on waivers Wednesday. McLaren, however isn’t going back to Worcester. The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed him from the Sharks and he’s heading to a new organization.

“Not everybody can stay on a roster. Unfortunately you’re only given 23 spots and organizations have to make decisions,” McLellan said. “We had to make a tough one yesterday in putting Fraze on waivers. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s picked up. He’s a quality individual that fulfills a role in the league right now on many teams and fulfills that role well.”

McLaren, of course, has the enforcer role in addition to whatever else he can produce with fourth line minutes. Toronto may have been interested because one of their fighters, Mike Brown, is dealing with a shoulder injury and considered questionable for tonight’s game against Washington.

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McLaren wasn’t at the rink this morning, but I did get a chance to talk to his Worcester roommate and good friend James Sheppard.

“It’s definitely an interesting position to be in,” he said of McLaren’s status. “He’s been with the Sharks a long time. This is a great organization and he would have loved for it to work out here. But at the end of the day he has to do a job somewhere. It’s exciting. Toronto’s a cool place to play. I think he just wants to play hockey and be part of something fulltime.”

Sheppard was heading out to have lunch with McLaren before his flight out of San Jose.

“I don’t think there’s any hard feelings toward the Sharks. It’s just something that couldn’t happen in the long run,” Sheppard said. “You’ve got to change something there and hopefully it works out somewhere else.”

McLellan said waiver decisions aren’t “easy ones, especially when a guy like that comes up as a young player and grows in your organization. But waivers were put there for a reason. They’re there to give players an opportunity to stay in the league.”
*****The Oilers won last night in Phoenix and they opted to hold a team meeting at their hotel rather than skate at HP Pavilion. There was initial buzz among the Edmonton media that Nikolai Khabibulin might get his first start in goal since last March and subsequent hip surgery, but that quieted down later and coach Ralph Krueger was non-committal.

San Jose, you’ll recall, jumped all over Oiler goalie Devan Dubnyk when the teams met Jan. 22 at Rexall Place, jumping out to a 6-1 first period lead before leaving Edmonton with a 6-3 victory.

“I don’t think we’re going to see the same start from Edmotnon,” said McLellan, who said the Sharks were preparing for both Oiler netminders. “They were a young team that was real excited at home in front of their crowd and they made some mistakes. I haven’t seen them make those mistakes since that first period.”

At 6-0-0, the Sharks begin play tonight as the only NHL team without a blemish on its record after Chicago lost 3-2 in a shootout at Minnesota on Wednesday night. Some players took more from that than others.

“They played seven games. We still have another game to catch up to them,” Joe Pavelski said. “There’s teams that are going to go on stretches throughout the year where they’re winning and losing. We can’t really look at that right now.”

Boyle, on the other hand, said he liked “being a part of that. We’ll probably lose at some point, but it’s fun to have something like that going for us.”

*****McLellan mixed his lines up late in San Jose’s 3-2 shootout victory over Anaheim, putting Scott Gomez on the second line with Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe for a few shifts while Marty Havlat skated with Michal Handzus and Tommy Wingels on the third. That ended up dropping TJ Galiardi to the fourth line.

The Sharks coach said his existing lines were simply eating minutes and not being productive, so he decided to switch things up. Today’s practice was an optional one, so there were no line rushes or clues to how things might play out, but McLellan left open the possibility things could start as they finished Thursday night.

You’ll notice, of course, that nobody was tinkering with the top line of Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Pavelski.

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

Let’s hope Boyle does start, and I’d like to see Demers in there.
I like the lines with Gomez on 2nd but Clowe should go down to the 3rd and bring Havlat back up to the 2nd line.

SJGR8WHITE

Great Stuff DP! Hopefully we can keep it going!! Wishing everyone a great day and hopefully an awesome win!!!
LGSDI

DumbPuck™

I actually think that a 4th line of Galiardi-Desi-Burish would be a pain for opponents to play against. Talk about abrasive…

shrk2th

I sincerely wish McLaren well in Toronto and hope things work out for him there.

As for Boyle, thank goodness he’s back. I don’t think his absence was the only reason SJ played poorly against the Ducks, but not having Boyle rush up the ice or make good outlet passes didn’t help either.

I think it’s good that Petrecki got some minutes in at the NHL level on Tuesday, but I’d prefer that we have just one rookie dman in, not two.

Tom (fm Quinzee)

I’ll respectfully disagree w/ TMac’s explanation of waivers. I can’t document my belief, but I think waivers are there to stop the more well-to-do owners from stockpiling talent. It’s an agreement the owners reached among themselves to somewhat level the ice (or field).

JLofty

Boyle back is good news. Demurs might take a while to get back in form and thats a little worrisome….

Adam

Well if Boyle and Demers are both in who sits (I can’t see dressing 7 defensemen) ?

Can’t justify taking Irwin out but don’t think TM will sit a veteran like Murray even against a good skating team

David Pollak

All,

For those of you dwelling in the comment-section only at this point, Jason Demers has been activated and posting updated

David

GP

Interesting Buddy Elf,

There is anecdotal evidence you’re correct.

Last thread, there were numerous people posting negative comments about Plattner and things he didn’t say, or at least what we read. Unceremoniously, they are all gone…

Did these guys all get sent to their room at the same time? Or did the guy’s grandmother turn off the computer in the basement?

yotes

“Just watching Prime Time Sports and John Shannon (who’s very plugged into the NHL inner circle) revealed that Jamison had possible investors but they backed out because Jamison refused to put in any money himself. He also said it’s believed Jamison is worth less than $5 million dollars.

However he did say he thinks the Coyotes aren’t going anywhere, and that possible owners might come out next week, one name mentioned was Jim Treliving.”

Tom (fm Quinzee)

GP – last thread, you making fun of us seniors? My lawyer is tougher than your lawyer, so careful where you tread. I’m actually 1/3 of the age you guessed.

GP

He He, My math is not good. Are 125 yrs old?

GP

Kinda disappointing watching NHL Live on NHLN. If I didn’t know better the only game on today is the Rangers/Penquins. 2 teams not playing very well — getting all the airtime minutes.

Tom (fm Quinzee)

On the hockey front, one problem I have w/ TMac is the constant mixing of lines, which he’s doing again. Geez, Gomez just got here, and yeah, there’s productivity issues w/ three of the four lines. But it’s not being productive on a 6-0 team. Okay. How about allowing enough time for Gomez getting familiar w/ new linemates, then making decision? Just my thinking on it – on-ice chemistry might take more than 3 games. And the team is 6-0, not 0-6.

Tom (fm Quinzee)

One year younger than Bobby Orr.

Matthew

GP… Seems to be a trend on all networks… ESPN only seems to report on teams and sports they are about to show… Self promotion dressed as reporting…

GP

Tom Q,

I am less concerned with that stuff surprisingly. I have been happy the lines have stayed together for the 1st 5(ish). The main reason things changed is because Clowe go an early shower. Then vs the Ducks — Sharks weren’t playing well enough to keep the lines together. I am surprised TMac was patient thru the 1st period.

We got to admit, these on paper line changes will make ZEKE a little more chipper.

GP

Matthew, I agree with your take.

I don’t know what ESPN is any longer though. LOL.

General Soreness

Actually I’m going with Boyle told Clowe to mellow the F out while Clowe was being Mr Maniac and Clowe kicked his ass.

g-bum-man

Sorry to see ”Franz McClearn” get grabbed by Toronto, but honestly, with Ryane Clowe fighting anyone who looks at a Shark the wrong way…I think Frazer was expendible.

Welcome back Boyle…whew!

Slam segue:
I think everyone who is a Bay Area hockey fan should thank their lucky stars that Hasso Plattner doubled down on the Sharks. Deep pockets, loves hockey, and he doesn’t mind if the business runs in the red. That kind of investor, my friends, is called an “angel”.

Or would any of you who prefer to be in the Coyotes skates? No owner, no stability or certainty, and possible loss of your team rising with every sun?

Plus–Hasso Plattner has got to be the coolest “owner name” in the NHL–CASE CLOSED! If you think he is a fool, you can call him a “stupid Hasso”–his name even provides opportunity for humor (clue: Hasso sounds like assh*le for those who need an assist on the shot).

MikeR

@19

Tom (fm Quinzee)

Zeke has a data base program set up to chart things. DW should hire him away from the Sharks PR Dept.

KnightPucky

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? how about let’s go Sharks?? Let’s make it 7 in a row and shut up those doubters!!

http://Dmb918@aol.com Dianne Branson

Tom I’m with you…. Tmac leave the lines alone…. Gomez is good but leave Clowe
/Couture/havlat on second line and bounce around 3-4 line if you must but first 5 games we scored a lot…. Last game we got in trouble due to line swapping. STOP IT… You did it last year and we went down hill. The 2 top lines work well together, timing is well, shooting well, passing is right on, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it….. GO SHARKS

GP

“Last game we got in trouble due to line swapping.”

That isn’t the order it happened.

Hockeynut

Obviously you leave the T-M-P line alone
But the second line should be Couture, Gomez, and Havlat
Third line can be Clowe with Sheppard and Handzus
Then the fourth line should be Galiardi, Burrish and either Wingels or Desjardens.
They have to do something to jumpstart the third and fourth line offense. Moving Clowe down just might do the trick to get him motivated. He has done nothing to earn second line status so far. He’s not even getting many SOG.
That’s my two cents.

benny12

Demers , if he can play should play…..not sure why they wouldn’t play him
if he is ready, he did really well in europe…..

Stevo

g-bum-man,

Not only the cool name, but when was the last time a Sharks owner was a big windsurfer?

puckace

GP: ESPN = Eastern SPorts Network. After all they are located in Connecticut. Yeah I know they have other locations now, but their eastern roots go deep.

Clowe stays on the second line to protect Logan. I’m not sure about Gomez on the second. Seems like a waste of talent to drop Havlat to the third line. Havlat-creative playmaker, above average speed. Logan-great shot, average speed. Clowe-big bruiser, slow. Gomez-creative playmaker, above average speed, but a bit on the small side.
Would like to see a few more games without TMac tinkering with the second line before throwing Gomez into a top six possition.

Who comes in last in a sprint? Clowe, Murray, or Handzus?
I gotta go with Douglas.

Long Time No Cup

Lines schmines.

You take two players, keep them together, move the third guy in and out depending on who is productive or who needs protection or whatever. lLines are an invention of the press to keep hockey fans distracted–like a cat with a ball of wadded up tin-foil.

Coaches have been changing lines since the U.S. stopped sucking at hockey in the 1960s. Get over it.

I think there is an SAP module that will automatically report on line configurations per unit volume over currency fluctuations. Somebody check with Herr Plattner.

Long Time No Cup

“Who comes in last in a sprint? Clowe, Murray, or Handzus?
I gotta go with Douglas.”

Neither Clowe nor Handzus wants to go barreling into the end boards with Murray warm on his heels.

Sheppard offers another capable scorer for Gomez while not breaking up the Top 6.

Defense:
Irwin-Boyle
Vlasic-Braun
Stuart-Demers

puckace

Drew: I like that line up. Although I would switch Braun and Stuart. I’d really like to see what Sheppard could do when paired with a playmaker like Gomez.

Renoshark

Too bad “Fraze” didn’t clear waivers but good for him getting picked up by the Leafs. Love his attitude, size and toughness but has very limited puck skills. Just not enough upside to justify a full time roster spot in SJ.

Topcat

DANGER DANGER Sharks! No team likes to be embarrassed in their home opener. This will be a tough game for the Sharks…Sharks better come to play…

Beer League Rocks

LTNC, #31, lol.

Buddy Elf

Real Teal (last thread): yah, puck possession style leads to that but giving it away kills a puck possession style too… I think better teams will expose that. But GP was right… It was a jab at people who misuse stats around here just like they misquote people.

http://n/a gary d.

hope boyle is good enough tonight,its isent easy recouping from the flu that fast,so he may not be up to his full self,will see.oh yeah and that bloody nose cant help things when your sick,but he says he is ready.sorry to see frazier is gone,good luck in toronto ,he will do well no matter where he plays,thats business.tonight will be a big test for sj,oilers want revenge and have been playing well since that first period when we scored 6 g.GO SHARKS

Meeting with reporters Wednesday, Plattner himself brought up one notorious moment when he declared, “I did not moon Larry Ellison” — a yachting story that has been circulating since 1996.

Q: How cool is this guy?

A: Very.. but had he actually mooned Ellison, he’d be the coolest owner in history.

icehawkey

@BuddyElf
I wasn’t insulted by Hasso’s remark. I was just pointing out Ameica wasn’t that bad. Also The Canadians were the ones fighting on smaller ice. I don’t really care what he thinks of the State of USA hockey Circa 1960’s. You just have to stick up for anything that DP writes. You belabor a point forever. Perhaps you think you’ll win a prize for bullying and making the most posts on every thread? I have never posted as anyone but myself by the way. Every time you disagree with people you say they are all the same person. Or put people in camps toigether like me and MLBSF. I wasn’t even upset with Hasso’s remark just thought he needed some edification so don’t lump me in with others.

Buddy Elf

Sure kid… We all saw the timestamps of the posters who jumped up echoing exactly what you said… Just like they always do. I speak up when people use ignorant statements and mischaracterize what people are saying, which is something donkeys do to stir up drama.

The guy who can’t talk about Tmac without saying the word milquetoast for at least 2 years now is lecturing someone about belaboring a point… Classic.

icehawkey

@BeerLeagueRocks
Yes I’m a goalie and a bit “nuts” but I am not stupid and grew up back east where we had serious hockey markets. I live in SF and get no coverage except for The Merc, some Sharks blogs and national media and blogs. San Jose and the South Bay are rabid Sharks fans but most aren’t rabid hockey fans. I wish in SF/Oakland area people gave a crap. I was pissed when the chronicle stopped having a Sharks beat writer. I wrote angry emails. I am not mad at Sharks fans or the market. My anger is toward The Sharks organization that treats us like dolts. Yes I know all NHL teams are secretive about injuries but the Sharks sometimes don’t even give you a general body area, info on when how and where it happened or any timetable for return. They rarely explain anything and because there are no competing media types in Bay Area fighting for the scoop, all we get is whatever they do or don’t say to DP. His questions are the only ones answered and sometimes he doesn’t ask the tough or even obvious ones. Or maybe he does but doesn’t get an answer and therefore it doesn’t come out in print. he has gotten better about digging deeper perhaps, I like to think maybe because of the comment section here, in some small part. I love The Bay area and chose it as my home 20 years ago and am so glad my kids are growing up here. I love Shark fans enthusiasm. I love watching and rooting for them. I love playing hockey in Oakland, Sf, San Mateo, Fremont, Belmont, Cupertino and San Jose. I love the 49ers, Giants, Warriors and Earthquakes too. The Bay Area sports media does a great job reporting on the various pro teams except maybe The Quakes, including the ones I don’t care much about like the A’s and Raiders. The teams have to answer to that media who have to answer to their readers. The Sharks simply don’t respect their fans. They love their money and their cheering but we are simply used and not appreciated or brought into what’s going on at all.

icehawkey

Elf-I’m not a kid and you can’t refer to anybody with an opinion that differs from your own (aka whatever you read in DPs posts) without calling them donkey. You’ve used it way more than I’ve written about toast of milk. Yes TMac is my least favorite Shark and I think he is the reason we have not won more than 2 rounds of post season hockey and we get worse every season. DW brought in 2 other guys to do what he can’t and it appears to be working.

Buddy Elf

Doing a little searching I found a poster on the blog from a few years ago who constantly changed their poster name, while attacking sharks fans, and shockingly, loved using the word “milquetoast” (and used it across multiple screen names in a few day period)…

Sounds like just the kind of behavior you engaged in this morning…

Beer League Rocks

icehawkey, I was just in the middle of typing a post to you, looking for a response to my post last thread. I deleated it after reading your post. So as I get it, you feel under appreciated as a fan. You would like more media attention. You would like enough media asking questions, that they (the Sharks) would not be able to dodge them. That would be awesome, but it’s not happening know. Would you rather have the Leafs media, ticket prices, and crappy team?

Beer League Rocks

Woops, -now- Not know….

Angel From Texas

Dubynk is in Net Tonight.

ZEKE

Dubnyk in the net. Someone said he was there in the opener, too. But with 6 goal in the first period, I’m not sure there’s any proof.